What Better Gift Than Focus?

If you look at those ads and say, “Oh!  ____________ would love that!”

—how wonderful. That’s the best kind of gift-giving. 

But make sure you’re actually getting what the ad promises. Here’s a well-loved story from our archives about how what you see may not be what you get. 

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-turquoise-or-whats-big-deal-really.html?fbclid=IwAR2-lbTliJ7guae3EO2-bLNZnSJLxLcpa939j59HILuF4JiUh_gLIlev2oA

And here are two recent news stories about conditions at one of the companies offering the biggest deals today.  

https://www.revealnews.org/article/behind-the-smiles/?fbclid=IwAR0rFfJJzf0A1IFExA-QaSlgX2lYvGjaUArfaFrRGBiITTYFixBraGQveZ0

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/11/amazon-warehouse-reports-show-worker-injuries/602530/

Now remember, your Jewelry Doctor loves the holidays as much as anybody. She is simply saying, “Take a moment. Stop and think about what gift-giving means to you.”  

We hope it means tuning in to the recipient. What will make his or her heart and soul sing?  

We also hope it means paying attention to quality—not only the quality of the merchandise, of course, but the quality of life for the people doing the behind-the-scenes work to make those gifts happen and the quality of community that results when one or two companies force other businesses out.

If you believe in the importance of small business, you can put that belief into practice by putting your money where your mouth is this holiday season (and thoughout the year).

A great start is Small Business Saturday tomorrow. But don't stop there. When you’re making a purchase, instead of asking, "Does (the conglomerate) have this?" (and starting and ending your search there), consider asking, "Could (your favorite small business) have this, or could they order it?"   

So shop. (Ask us about gifts for your favorite people). Enjoy your shopping. Just do it consciously. Do it with your priorities in mind, in a manner that has provided real results for people all over the world for years and years and years: focus.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Solitaire, Part One: Color In That Circle!

Everywhere you look, people are playing solitaire—pendants, that is. And why not? It’s a great look. 

But why not add some color to that solitaire? Here’s one from Stuller* featuring pink tourmaline in a gold setting.

https://www.stuller.com/products/87126/?groupId=203177&searchTerm=87126&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

How about emerald in white gold?

https://www.stuller.com/products/87126/16629139/?groupId=203177&searchTerm=87126&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

Citrine sings in rose gold.

https://www.stuller.com/products/87126/16629170/?groupId=203177&searchTerm=87126&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

And so does aquamarine.

https://www.stuller.com/products/87126/16629167/?groupId=203177&searchTerm=87126&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

Or how about Mozambique garnet in platinum?

https://www.stuller.com/products/87126/16629188/?groupId=203177&searchTerm=87126&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

You get the idea. If your style is simple and elegant (or that’s what’s called for in your work environment), you can certainly stay within those parameters, coloring between the lines.

*To order Stuller jewelry, just jot down the item number of your favorites, then text that info to your friendly neighborhood** Jewelry Doctor at 415/596-4244 (or call 415/796-3969), and we’ll check on pricing and availability for you.

**If you can read this, we’re in the neighborhood.

©2019 Laynie Tzena.

And--You're Off!

Anyone can get dressed up

and be glamorous, but it is 

how people dress on their 

days off that is intriguing.

—Alexander Wang

What’s your favorite jewelry to wear when you’re off work? What do you reach for when you can wear whatever you want? Has that changed over the years? Is it due for a change?  

Call the doctor—the San Francisco Jewelry Doctor, that is—at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and let’s put our heads together about jewelry that reflects your own individual after-work style.

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Great jewelry, seven days a week*.

Yes, we sleep. We mean you can have great jewelry. But you already knew that, right? Of course. Honey, you are on it.

©2019 Laynie Tzena.

Did Anybody Ask Archie?

Weren’t we just talking about Kate Middleton’s earrings the other day? And here they are in the news again. 

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/jewelry-and-watches/a28321037/kate-middleton-princess-diana-archie-christening-earrings/

This time it’s not about other possible earring choices, but the idea (not shared by Town and Country or Glamour 

https://www.glamour.com/story/kate-middleton-earrings-archie-christening-drama) that wearing the late Princess Diana’s earrings 

to the christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was a 

no-no.  Because they should have been worn by the child’s mum, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.  

To which we say: Rubbish! There were four people who could have perfectly appropriately worn those earrings: Meghan Markle (who probably got first look at them*), Kate Middleton, or their spouses.

“But William and Harry don’t wear earrings.”

Good point. The issue here is what they are entitled to wear. 

Now, you could say everyone in the room could have worn a pearl earring as a tribute. But what we’re talking about here is how a grand-mère unable to be in the room (either due to her schedule or, sadly, because she is no longer alive) has a presence. And the best way to do that is to have one of her children (or their spouses) wear something to say, “Mom, you are here with us.”

Which means, if you ask the Jewelry Doctor, that it was perfectly appropriate for Kate to wear those earrings, assuming William and Harry weren’t interested in wearing them.

Your thoughts?

*The mum in question probably said no, thank you, since many a baby, royal and otherwise, likes to pull on dangle earrings :>.

©2019 Laynie Tzena.

Beautiful by Nature

There’s something about designs inspired by nature. They just 

feel great to wear; as though you were bringing a little bit of that 

Saturday morning hike with you when you go to back to work 

on Monday. 

Check out this leafy bracelet. 

https://www.stuller.com/products/650116/?groupId=114826&recommendationSource=productpage&recommendationType=recommendation&recommendationId=116531

And how about this flower necklace?

https://www.stuller.com/products/69220/?groupId=97903&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

You could wear these flowers pinned to your jacket lapel—

https://www.stuller.com/products/83539/1993005/?groupId=42629&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

—and also ask us how to create an instant pendant. 

What’s your favorite flower? Let us know. We’re at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244).

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Naturally.

©2019 Laynie Tzena.

Dressing the Royals, Part One

Now, Kate Middleton could probably wear a grocery bag as a dress and make it look like a million bucks (or pounds, if you prefer). 

Still, the earrings here? 
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a28256412/kate-middleton-shirt-dress-wimbledon-2019/

Okay. Great, even, with something else. But if we were dressing the princess, we’d give her these to wear this time out.  
https://www.stuller.com/products/85657/?groupId=116495&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

“But aren’t those are too big?”

Actually, they’re all of an inch and a half. And the onyx highlights the black accents in that wonderful dress, the granulated silver design echoes the lines of the garment, they have “summer”* written all over them—what’s not to love?

Call us next time, Kate. We’re at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244).

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. We help you access your inner royalty.

*We think they would be gorgeous any time of year, actually. Like some people we could mention.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. 

Not Just Any Ruby

The office is closed for the Fourth of July holiday, but here’s a well-loved story (about our stone of the month) from our archives. https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2015/07/just-right-ruby.html